21 percent raise? Fantasy to most

When it comes to milestone birthdays, blackjack and a successful album by Adele, 21 is a magical number.

But if we're talking raises for elected officials at a time when many people just feel lucky to be employed?

Suddenly, 21 isn't so delightful.

The decision this week by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and city commissioners to increase their pay by 21 percent elicited dumbfounded looks, a little anger and even laughter by the people who elect them.

How do I know? Because I asked — of course — 21 Orlando residents what they thought of these mega- raises.

None of the 21 people I stopped in downtown Orlando Wednesday had ever received a 21 percent raise.

Two-thirds of them said they either didn't know if they would receive a raise at all this year, or were already resigned to the fact that their paychecks would remain stagnant.

The other third said they anticipated a small increase — about 2 percent was the typical expectation.

"Oh, they did that?" said Brian Luft, 23, when told about the elected officials' 21 percent raise. "That's pretty ridiculous."

"Ridiculous" was a word used a lot by the people I talked with.

But c'mon, Brian. There's a new Amway Center. And a new performing arts center is under construction. Medical City is underway.

"Really, what they're doing is catering to tourists," said Luft, who was setting up tables with an equally amused Cody Loveland, 23, at the Eden Fresh restaurant on Central Boulevard. "They're only creating food-service jobs."

Neither man said they expected a raise this year.

"I can't even get a 1 percent raise," said Kaya Sztepa, 32, who cuts hair. "There's other things that that money could be given to."

Some even expect their pay to go down next year. Jemella Boatwright, 37, who works the overnight shift as a clinical technician at Orlando Health, anticipates a pay cut as part of the hospital's cost-cutting measures.

What would a 21 percent raise mean to her?

"It would mean a lot," she said. "It would mean I wouldn't have to tighten up my budget like I'm doing now."

John Ly, 45, works at an Asian supermarket and received a small raise last year. He's not sure if he'll get one this year.

Rene Palacio, who visited the Lake Eola playground with his kids on Wednesday, said he'll likely receive a small raise as a hospitality manager this year.

But 21 percent? "That would be really nice," he said.

Ruth Orozco, a downtown office worker, said raises she sees are "always below 5 percent" if there are any raises at all.

"I've never gotten 21 percent in my life," she said. "We spend the same for gas, food, kids and insurance."

Minda Washington, a college student who works as a tutor, said she wasn't sure if she would get a raise this year.

Some were incredulous.

"A 21 percent raise? Who gets that? In this economy?" said Vijay Luthra, who operates a real estate brokerage.

Does anyone out there think Orlando's public servants are worth the money?

"Buddy Dyer? I've seen him make some changes downtown," said Wesley Figuroa, 29, who lives and works in Orlando's core. "Maybe he deserves a raise, but 21 percent? That's a big chunk."

Ian Jones, 34 and Rafael Simpson, 27, were also more diplomatic. They were talking business at Panera.

"If they're increasing value then they should get a raise," said Simpson, who lives in a highrise.

But that was a hard question for him to answer considering he couldn't even name the mayor.